MAYOR MAMDANI INVESTS $108 MILLION TO IMPROVE SEWER PERFORMANCE CITYWIDE, ENHANCING NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCY

 

City will replace more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade  

  

Spending builds on $20 million purchase of 40 modernized catch basin cleaning trucks  

  

Modernized catch basins feature bike-friendly redesigns and improved water drainage  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia today announced that the City is investing $108 million to upgrade and replace more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade to ensure the City’s street drainage network is resilient in the face of more frequent and intense rain events. This investment follows the City’s $20 million purchase of 40 new catch basin cleaning trucks — ensuring neighborhoods are better protected as extreme weather becomes more frequent.  

  

“Investing in resiliency is an affordability strategy we cannot take for granted,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By investing in our sewer system, we’re protecting our neighborhoods from the destruction and devastation severe storms bring. These new and improved catch basins are a recognition that climate preparedness must be built into every feature of our City.”  

  

“This administration is making smart, targeted investments in the infrastructure New Yorkers rely on every day,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “By combining data-driven inspections, modern equipment and long-term capital upgrades, we are improving sewer performance citywide while delivering faster service and greater accountability to the public.”   

  

“As we modernize our water and sewer infrastructure and advance major projects, we’re also investing in local improvements that make a real difference at the neighborhood and block level. No project is too small when it comes to protecting New Yorkers,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “We’re seeing more intense rainfall than ever, and these investments in catch basins, more commonly known as storm drains, and specialized cleaning trucks will help keep streets passable, protect communities from flooding, and ensure our stormwater system is ready for climate challenges.”   

  

New York City has more than 150,000 catch basins, also known as storm drains, that are an important part of the City’s 7,500‑mile sewer network. These curbside grates channel stormwater into underground pipes that carry it to one of DEP’s 14 wastewater resource recovery facilities or directly into local waterways.   

  

When catch basin grates become blocked by litter or debris, they cannot drain properly, increasing the risk of street flooding. Designs vary across the five boroughs due to evolving standards over time.   

  

$108 MILLION FOR FULL REPLACEMENTS OVER THE NEXT DECADE  

A full replacement involves rebuilding or replacing the entire underground catch basin structure. DEP will invest $108 million to replace 6,708 older catch basins that no longer meet modern standards. Work will begin this July in Queens.  

Section diagram of a catch basin  

$1.5 MILLION ANNUALLY TO MODERNIZE EXISTING BASINS   

Catch basin modernization focuses on upgrading existing components, such as grates, to improve performance and reduce blockages.  

  

Since July 2024, DEP has upgraded 3,273 catch basins and will invest $1.5 million annually to continue this work. The agency expects to upgrade approximately 1,700 basins by June and has already completed 1,176 of those improvements.  

  

The upgrades pair improved catch basin grates in the road with slotted manhole covers on sidewalks. If the grate becomes blocked, the slotted cover provides an alternate path for stormwater to reach the basin below. DEP has already installed 427 slotted manhole covers and 298 bike-friendly catch basin grates citywide since 2024.  

New bike-friendly grate (background) and slotted manhole cover (foreground)  

FORTY NEW CLEANING TRUCKS   

DEP is modernizing its fleet of catch basin cleaning trucks — specialized vehicles used to clear blockages within underground basins.  

  

The agency has ordered 40 new trucks, nine of which have already been delivered, with another four expected by December. DEP plans to fully replace its 47-truck fleet by June 2029.  

  

Over the past decade, DEP has adopted a data‑driven, proactive approach to sewer system maintenance. Its inspection program prioritizes flood‑prone areas and has significantly reduced response times. Catch basin and street flooding complaints are now resolved within three days of a 311 request — well below the legally mandated eight business days.  

New specialized catch basin cleaning vehicle